Fledgling workflow specification format JDF moved a step closer to implementation this week with the election of an advisory board by the body that administers it.


The first products to use JDF will be available before the end of the year, according to Martin Bailey, Harlequin senior technical consultant and CIP4 interim chief executive.


"Many firms are in the advanced stages of how to implement JDF into their products," he said.


The CIP4 (International Co-operation for the Integration of Processes in Pre-press, Press and Post-press) has elected 18 members to the advisory board.


Representatives come from press, pre-press, finishing and MIS firms, including Adobe, Agfa, Heidelberg and MAN Roland - the four firms that proposed JDF.


CreoScitex, Muller Martini, Optimus, KBA, Harlequin, Hewlett-Packard, PrintCafe and Xerox are also represented.


"CIP4 is now ready to fulfil its role as JDF administrator," said Bailey. "We expect to publish JDF 1.0 shortly and be in a position to begin extending its capabilities to broader segments within the industry."


CIP4 is in discussion with other standards bodies such as MIS, e-commerce group PrintTalk, the Print on Demand initiative (PODi) and the Graphic Communications Association (GCA) about expanding JDF to cover more functions.


Story by Barney Cox